Ladies edge close derby encounter

Rovers Ladies stretched their lead at the top of the Women’s Premier League to nine points with a 1-0 win over local rivals Fylde Ladies.

A stunning second half strike from goalscoring midfielder Faye McCoy was enough to give Rovers all three points in what was a dominant display.

Rovers would start the game in control but without creating many chances from open play.

Nine minutes in Rovers defender Ellie Stewart saw her goalward header cleared out for a corner after Jess Holbrook had floated in a wonderful cross.

Rovers would see efforts from Natasha Fenton and Lynda Shepherd saved comfortably from distance before the half hour mark.

Stewart had the best chance of first half when she connected well from another Holbrook centre but she fired over to leave the match goalless at the break.

The start of the second period saw Rovers play with more urgency, and on 57 minutes their increased intensity was rewarded when Faye McCoy scored a stunning strike from 20-yards to break the deadlock.

Soon after, Ella Toone almost doubled Rovers lead after good link up with Saffron Jordan saw her low drive blocked by a defender.

Jordan, Holbrook and Ellie Cook were all denied from doubling the Rovers lead, and that almost cost them in the seventh minute of injury-time when Danielle Hill was forced into making her first save of the game.

Rovers play again this Sunday as they host Newcastle in the FA Women’s Premier League. Adults £3 Juniors £1, Rovers Season Ticket Holders get in FREE!